Preventing a non-head end based service provider from sending media to a media processing system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods that prevent unauthorized access in a communications network are provided. In one embodiment, a system that prevents unauthorized access to a network device may include, for example, a network device and a headend. The headend may be coupled to a communications network. The network device may be deployed in a home environment and may be communicatively coupled to the communications network via the headend. The headend may be adapted, for example, to determine whether a request to access the network device is authorized.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0001] [Not Applicable]

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0002] [Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[0003] [Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Communication in a personal computer (PC) based environmenthaving Internet connectivity is typically established based on e-mailaddresses and/or Internet protocol (IP) addresses. Many unwantedconnections occur with no anonymity or control over who communicateswith whom.

[0005] A user of a PC may receive many unwanted e-mail messages withfile attachments (e.g., SPAM) because the user's e-mail address iswidely distributed or published somewhere. Some of the e-mail messagesmay contain computer viruses that can hurt the user's PC. Manybusinesses and some individual users set up firewalls to prevent certaintypes of e-mail messages from getting through, especially those e-mailmessages having computer viruses. However, in general, e-mail messagesflow across the Internet without the performance of any type ofauthorization or authentication.

[0006] A cable service provider or a satellite service provider mayauthorize which channels to broadcast and/or to be de-encrypted by aparticular user based on the subscription information for that user. Ingeneral, a set-top box in a user's home receives whatever is broadcastto it based on the subscription of the user. A service provider couldtemporarily override the subscription limits and broadcast certainchannels to a user's set-top box to let the user try those channels out.In reality, the user essentially has no control of what channels may bebroadcast to him.

[0007] In general, when dealing with IP-based networks and communicationthrough devices that have IP addresses, sharing any kind of digitalmedia invites or facilitates different ways for rogue service providersor rogue networks to be formed to imitate and to copy legitimateservices on the network.

[0008] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional andtraditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art,through comparison of such systems with the present invention as setforth in the remainder of the present application with reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Aspects of the present invention may be found in, for example,systems and methods that prevent unauthorized access in a communicationsnetwork. In one embodiment, the present invention may provide a systemthat prevents unauthorized access to a network device. The system mayinclude, for example, a network device and a headend. The headend may becoupled to a communications network. The network device may be deployedin a home environment and may be communicatively coupled to thecommunications network via the headend. The headend may be adapted, forexample, to determine whether a request to access the network device isauthorized.

[0010] In another embodiment, the present invention may provide a methodthat prevents unauthorized access in a communications network. Themethod may include, for example, one or more of the following:receiving, at a headend, a request to access a first device, the requestoriginating from a second device; determining, by the headend, whetherthe second device is authorized to access the first device; and blockingthe second device from accessing the first device if the headenddetermines that the second device is not authorized to access the firstdevice.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the present invention may provide amethod that prevents unauthorized access in a communications network.The method may include, for example, one or more of the following:disposing a headend between a first network device and a second networkdevice such that a communications path between the second network deviceand the first network device passes through the headend; and adaptingthe headend to determine whether the second device is authorized toaccess the first device.

[0012] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of thepresent invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodimentthereof, will be more fully understood from the following descriptionand drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork preventing a non-headend based service provider from sendingmedia to a device on a media exchange network, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork clearly showing the resultant media exchange headends whichincorporate the functionality of the media exchange server of FIG. 1into the broadband access headends of FIG. 1, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a first exemplary mediaexchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of performing personal mediaexchange over a second exemplary media exchange network in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of performing third-partymedia exchange over a third exemplary media exchange network inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of a TV guide channel userinterface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of several instantiations of aTV guide channel user interface of FIG. 4 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a TV guide channel userinterface showing several options of a pushed media in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of a media processing system(MPS) interfacing to media capture peripherals in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of an MPS in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a PC and an MPSinterfacing to a server on a media exchange network in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a PC interfacing topersonal media capture devices and remote media storage on a mediaexchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork 100 preventing a rogue service provider from sending media to adevice on a media exchange network, in accordance with various aspectsof the present invention. Specifically, the media exchange network 100is a communication network comprising a personal computer (PC) 101 and amedia processing system (MPS) 102 at a 1^(st) home 104; and a PC 105 andan MPS 106 at a 2^(nd) home 108. The PC 101 and the MPS 102 interface toa broadband access headend 109. The broadband access headend 109 maycomprise at least one of a cable headend, a satellite headend and a DSLheadend, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention. The PC 101 and the MPS 102 may include internal modems (e.g.,a cable modem or a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem) or otherinterface devices to communicate with the broadband access headend 109.Optionally, the interface device (e.g., a modem) may be external to thePC 101 and the MPS 102.

[0026] Similarly, the PC 105 and the MPS 106 interface to a broadbandaccess headend 110. The broadband access headend 110 may comprise atleast one of a cable headend, a satellite headend and a DSL headend, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The PC 105and the MPS 106 may include internal modems (e.g., a cable modem or aDSL modem) or other interface device to communicate with the broadbandaccess headend 110. Optionally, the interface device (e.g., a modem) maybe external to the PC 105 and the MPS 106.

[0027] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,an MPS may comprise at least one of a set-top box (STB), a PC and atelevision (TV) with a media management system (MMS). An MMS is alsoknown herein as a media exchange software (MES) platform.

[0028] An MMS comprises a software platform operating on at least oneprocessor to provide certain functionality including user interfacefunctionality, distributed storage functionality and networkingfunctionality. For example, an MMS may provide control of mediaperipheral devices, status monitoring of media peripheral devices andinter-home MPS routing selection, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0029] The media exchange network 100 further comprises a legitimate3^(rd) party media server 112 and the functionality of a media exchangeserver 113 (e.g., as in the case of a single central server supportingthe media exchange network 100) integrated into the broadband accessheadends 109 and 110. The broadband access headend 109, the broadbandaccess headend 110, the legitimate 3^(rd) party media server 112 and themedia exchange server 113 connect to the Internet infrastructure 115.

[0030] The legitimate 3^(rd) party media server 112 may comprise any ofa number of providers of digital media including an on-demand movieprovider, an advertiser and an on-demand music provider and is alegitimate service provider on the media exchange network 100. The3^(rd) party media server 112 may store movies, video, user profiles andother digital media that may be provided to users of the media exchangenetwork 100.

[0031] The media exchange network 100 also comprises a media storageserver 116 interfacing to the Internet infrastructure 115. The mediastorage server 116 interacts with the media exchange server 113 andprovides temporary storage and/or archival storage for digital media onthe media exchange network 100. For example, the media storage server116 may temporarily hold media files that are addressed to certain MPS'sand/or PC's on the media exchange network 100.

[0032] The media exchange network 100 further comprises a rogue serviceprovider 117 that interfaces to the Internet infrastructure 115 butattempts to circumvent the security and anonymity features of the mediaexchange network 100 to push media to the MPS's and PC's on the mediaexchange network 100 without authorization. A rogue service provider maybe defined as, for example, an illegitimate 3^(rd) party serviceprovider that attempts to push media to devices on a media exchangenetwork even though those devices do not desire the media.

[0033] The media exchange server functionality, which may beincorporated, at least in part, into the broadband access headends,includes device IP address registration, device ID registration,channel/program setup and management, serving as a proxy for anonymity,digital rights management, media caching/storage, and billing/tracking.When the functionality of a media exchange server is integrated into abroadband access headend, the broadband access headend may then beconsidered a media exchange headend.

[0034]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork 120 clearly showing the resultant media exchange headends 121and 122 which incorporate the functionality of the media exchange server113 of FIG. 1 into the broadband access headends 109 and 110 of FIG. 1,in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The mediaexchange network 120 is equivalent to the media exchange network 100 ofFIG. 1, except the media exchange server 113 is not shown since thefunctionality of the media exchange server 113 has been incorporatedinto the broadband access headends 109 and 110 resulting in the mediaexchange headends 121 and 122.

[0035] The media exchange network 120, with the functionality of themedia exchange server 113 incorporated into the headends 121 and 122,solves the problem of preventing a rogue service provider 117 fromgaining access to a PC or an MPS on the media exchange network 100 viathe Internet infrastructure 115 and a broadband access headend.

[0036] The various elements of the media exchange network 120 includestorage locations for digital media and data. The storage locations maycomprise, for example, hard disk drives, a DVD player, a CD player,floppy disk drives, RAM or any combination of these. The storagelocations may also include, for example, memory sticks, PCMCIA cards,compact flash cards or any combination of these.

[0037] The PC's (101 and 105) may comprise desktop PC's, notebook PC's,PDA's or any computing device.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, the MPS's (102 and106) are essentially enhanced set-top boxes. The MPS's (102 and 106) mayeach include a TV screen for viewing and interacting with various userinterfaces, media, data and services that are available on the mediaexchange network using, for example, a remote control. The PC's 101 and105 may each include a PC monitor for viewing and interacting withvarious user interfaces, media, data and services that are available onthe media exchange network using, for example, a keyboard and mouse. TheMPS's (102 and 106) and PC's (101 and 105) include functional softwareto support interaction with the media exchange headends 121 and 122 onthe media exchange network 120, in accordance with various embodimentsof the present invention.

[0039] Other embodiments of the present invention may comprise variouscombinations and/or multiple instantiations of the elements of FIG. 2,in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, includingmedia peripheral devices such as, for example, digital cameras, digitalcamcorders, MP3 players, etc.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, if the functionality of the media exchangeserver is truly provided by a separate central server 113 and if thebroadband access headends do not include any functionality of the mediaexchange server 113, then a rogue service provider might be able tocircumvent the security and anonymity features of the media exchangenetwork 100 provided by the media exchange server 113. The rogue serviceprovide may then be able, for example, to access media in (e.g., to pushmedia to) the MPS's and PC's on the media exchange network 100 withoutauthorization.

[0041] Without the functionality of the media exchange server within theheadends, the broadband access headends 109 and 110 would just bephysical plants providing broadband access to devices on the mediaexchange network and would not have any information about the kind ofdata or media being passed through the headends. Since the mediaexchange network 100 may be IP-based, the rogue service provider 117 maybe able to intercept an IP address and to push media to, for example,the MPS 106 (e.g., even though the MPS 106 does not desire media fromthe rogue service provider 117) via the Internet infrastructure 115 andthe broadband access headend 110, without authorization from the mediaexchange server 113. A device on the media exchange network (e.g., anMPS or a PC) has a device ID and an IP address. By having thefunctionality of the media exchange server within the headend, trafficon the media exchange network can be controlled. A rogue serviceprovider may not connect to an MPS, for example, without the knowledgeof the headend.

[0042] By incorporating the functionality of the media exchange server113 into the broadband access headends 109 and 110 resulting in themedia exchange headends 121 and 122, the rogue service provider 117 maybe prevented from accessing, for example, the MPS 106. The functionalityof the media exchange server in the media exchange headends prevents therogue service provider 117 from gaining access to the MPS 106 on themedia exchange network 120. The media exchange headends 121 and 122 usethe various techniques of registration, authentication, digital rightsmanagement and billing as described in, for example, U.S. PatentApplication Serial No. 60/457,179 (Attorney Docket No. 14825 US01) filedon Mar. 25, 2003, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/464,697(Attorney Docket No. 14822US01) filed on Apr. 23, 2003, and U.S. PatentApplication Serial No. 60/465,982 (Attorney Docket No. 14826US01) filedon Apr. 28, 2003 to prevent the rogue service provider 117 from pushingmedia to a device on the media exchange network 120. The completesubject matter of the above-identified applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety

[0043] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,multiple rogue service providers may be prevented from gaining access todevices on a media exchange network by incorporating functionality of amedia exchange server into multiple broadband access headends.

[0044] As an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the mediaexchange server functionality may be in a separate, central server onthe media exchange network (i.e., outside of the headend). A rogueservice provider may be prevented from accessing a device (e.g., an MPSor a PC) on the media exchange network by the media exchange server. Insuch an embodiment of the present invention, the media exchange serveruses authentication and encryption techniques, as described in, forexample, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/464,697 (Attorney DocketNo. 14822US01) filed on Apr. 23, 2003, to counter the rogue serviceprovider.

[0045] A substantial challenge is to be able to transfer and share manydifferent types of digital media, data and services between onedevice/location and another with ease while being able to index, manageand store the digital media and data.

[0046] For example, it is desirable to be able to distribute and storemany types of digital media in a PC and/or a television environment in auser-friendly manner without using many different types of softwareapplications and/or unique and dedicated interfaces. Any networkingissues or other technical issues should be transparent to the users. Itis also desirable to take advantage of existing hardware infrastructure,as much as possible, when providing such capability.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, a media exchangenetwork is provided that enables many types of digital media, dataand/or services to be stored, indexed, viewed, searched for, pushed fromone user to another and requested by users via a TV channel guidelook-and-feel user interface. The media exchange network also allows auser to construct personal media channels that comprise personal digitalmedia (e.g., captured digital pictures, digital video, digital audio,etc.), request that third-party media channels be constructed fromthird-party digital media and access the media channels pushed to him byother users on the media exchange network.

[0048] PC's may be used but are not required to interface to the mediaexchange network for the purpose of exchanging digital media, data andservices. Instead, set-top boxes or integrated MPS's may be used withthe media exchange network to perform all of the previously describedmedia exchange functions using a remote control with a televisionscreen.

[0049] Current set-top boxes may be software enhanced to create an MPSthat provides full media exchange network interfacing and functionalityvia a TV screen with a TV guide look-and-feel. PC's may be softwareenhanced as well and provide the same TV guide look-and-feel. Therefore,the media exchange network supports both PC's and MPS's in a similarmanner. Alternatively, a fully integrated MPS may be designed from theground up, having full MPS capability.

[0050] In the case of an MPS configuration, the user takes advantage ofhis remote control and TV screen to use the media exchange network. Inthe case of a PC configuration, the user takes advantage of his keyboardand/or mouse to use the media exchange network.

[0051] An MPS or enhanced PC is effectively a storage and distributionplatform for the exchange of personal and third party digital media,data and services as well as for bringing the conventional televisionchannels to a user's home. An MPS and/or a PC connects to the mediaexchange network via an existing communication infrastructure which mayinclude cable, DSL, satellite, etc. The connection to the communicationinfrastructure may be hard-wired or wireless.

[0052] The media exchange network allows users to effectively becometheir own broadcasters from their own homes by creating their own mediachannels and pushing those media channels to other authorized users onthe media exchange network, such as friends and family members.

[0053]FIG. 3 illustrates a media exchange network 300 for exchanging andsharing digital media, data and services in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The media exchange network 300 is asecure, closed network environment that is only accessible topre-defined users and service providers. The media exchange network ofFIG. 3 comprises a first PC 301 and a first MPS 302 at a user's home303, a communication infrastructure 304, an external processing hardwaresupport 305, a remote media storage 306, a second PC 307 at a remotelocation 308 such as an office, and a second MPS 309 at a parent's home310.

[0054] The PC's 301 and 307 and the MPS's 302 and 309 each include amedia exchange software (MES) platform 311 and a networking component312 for connectivity. The MES platform 311 provides multiplecapabilities including media “push” capability, media “access”capability, media channel construction/selection, image sequenceselection, text and voice overlay, channel and program naming,inter-home routing selection, authorship and media rights management,shared inter-home media experience, billing service and an integrated TVchannel guide look-and-feel.

[0055] The external processing hardware support 305 comprises at leastone server such as a centralized internet server, a peer-to-peer serveror a cable head end. The server may alternatively be distributed overvarious hosts or remote PC's. The MES platform 311 may also reside onthe external processing hardware support server 305. The remote mediastorage 306 may comprise user media storage and distribution systems 313and/or third party media storage and distribution systems 314.

[0056] The communication infrastructure 304 may comprise at least one ofan internet infrastructure, a satellite infrastructure, a cableinfrastructure, a dial-up infrastructure, a cellular infrastructure, anxDSL infrastructure, an optical infrastructure or some otherinfrastructure. The communication infrastructure 304 links the user'shome 303, the parent's home 310, the remote media storage 306 and theremote location office 308 to each other (i.e., the communicationinfrastructure 304 links all users and service providers of the mediaexchange network 300).

[0057] The various functions 315 of the media exchange network 300comprise generating personal network associations, personal storagemanagement, media capture device support,security/authentication/authorization support, authorship tracking andbilling and address registration and maintenance. These media exchangemanagement functions 315 may be distributed over various parts of themedia exchange network 300. For example, the personal networkassociations and personal storage management functions may be integratedin the PC 301 at the user's home 303.

[0058]FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a personal media exchange over amedia exchange network 400 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In step 1, the media exchange software (MES) platform401 is used to construct personal media channels on a PC 402 by a userat “my house” 403. For example, with various media stored on the PC 402such as digital pictures 404, videos 405, and music 406, the MESplatform 401 allows the digital media to be organized by a user intoseveral channels having a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface407 on the PC 402.

[0059] In step 2, the user at “my house” 403 pushes a media channel 408(e.g., “Joe's Music”) to “brother's house” 409 and pushes two mediachannels 410 and 411 (e.g., “Vacation Video” and “Kid's Pictures”) to“Mom's house” 412 via a peer-to-peer server 413 over the internet-basedmedia exchange network 400. “Brother's house” 409 includes a first MPS414 connected to the media exchange network 400. “Mom's house” 412includes a second MPS 415 connected to the media exchange network 400.The MPS's 414 and 415 also provide a TV channel guide look-and-feel userinterface 407.

[0060] In step 3, brother and/or Mom access the pushed media channelsvia their respective media processing systems (MPS's) 414 and 415 usingtheir respective MPS TV screens and remote controls.

[0061]FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a third-party media exchange overa media exchange network 500 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In step 1, a PC-initiated third-party request is madeby a first party 501 via an Internet-based media exchange network 500using a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface 502 on a PC 503.In step 2, an anonymous delivery of the requested third-party channel504 is made to a second party 505 via the Internet-based media exchangenetwork 500. In step 3, the second party 505 accesses the third-partychannel 504 using a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface 506 ona TV screen 507 that is integrated into an MPS 508.

[0062] Similarly, in step A, an MPS-initiated third-party request ismade by a second party 505 via an Internet-based media exchange network500 using a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface 506 on a TVscreen 507 using a remote control 509. The second party 505 may key in acode, using the remote control 509, that is correlated to a commercialor some other third party broadcast media. In step B, an anonymousdelivery of the requested third-party channel 504 is made to a firstparty 501 via the internet-based media exchange network 500. In step C,the first party 501 accesses the third-party channel 504 using a TVchannel guide look-and-feel user interface 502 on a PC 503.

[0063]FIG. 6 illustrates a TV channel guide user interface 600 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The TV channelguide user interface 600 may be displayed on a TV screen 608 andcontrolled by a remote control device 609. Also, the TV channel guideuser interface 600 may be displayed on a PC monitor and controlled by akeyboard or mouse.

[0064] The TV channel guide user interface 600 may be configured notonly for conventional TV channels but also for personal media channels601 that are constructed by a user of a media exchange network, friend'sand family's media channels 602 constructed by friends and family, andthird party channels 603 that are constructed by third parties eitherupon request by a user of a media exchange network or based on a profileof a user.

[0065] The personal media channels 601 may include, for example, a“family vacations channel”, a “kid's sports channel”, a “my lifechannel”, a “son's life channel”, a “my music channel”, and a “kid'smusic channel”. The friends and family media channels 602 may include,for example, a “brother's channel”, a “Mom's channel”, and a “friend'schannel”. The third party media channels 603 may include, for example, a“Sears Fall sale channel” and a “car commercials channel”.

[0066] Each media channel may correspond to a schedule 604 showing, forexample, a week 605 and a year 606. For example, under the “kid's sportschannel”, Ty's soccer game could be scheduled to be viewed on Tuesday ofthe current week 605 and current year 606. For each media channel, asub-menu 607 allows for selection of certain control and accessfunctions such as “play”, “send to list”, “send to archive”, “confirmreceipt”, “view”, “purchase” and “profile”.

[0067]FIG. 7 illustrates possible multiple instantiations of a TVchannel guide user interface 700 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The TV channel guide user interface 700 may be viewedwith a schedule having formats of, for example, “month, year”, “week#,year”, “day, week#” or “hour, day”.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 8, a user of a media exchange network may pusha media channel (e.g., “Vacation in Alaska Video”) to a friend who is onthe same media exchange network. The TV channel guide user interface 800may give the friend several options 801 for accepting and downloadingthe pushed media in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0069] For example, a first, most expensive option 803 may be “ExpressDelivery” which would deliver the pushed media to the friend in 18minutes using queuing and cost $1.20, for example. The pushed media maybe stored in a file in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 4Mbps, for example. Queuing comprises buffering and delivering a previouspart of the media and then buffering and delivering a next part of themedia. For example, a first six minutes of the “Vacation in AlaskaVideo” may be buffered and delivered first, then a second six minutesmay be buffered and delivered next, and so on until the entire media isdelivered.

[0070] A second, less expensive option 802 may be “Normal Delivery”which would deliver the pushed media in 2 hours and 13 minutes withoutqueuing and cost $0.59, for example. The pushed media may be stored in afile in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 1.5 Mbps, forexample.

[0071] A third, least expensive option 804 may be “Overnight Delivery”which would deliver the pushed media by the next morning and cost only$0.05, for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in an MPEG2 format that was recorded at a rate of 19 Mbps and stored on a server,for example.

[0072]FIG. 9A illustrates some elements of a media processing system(MPS) 900 and media capture devices 901 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. The media capture devices 901 may compriseaudio, video, and image players, such as digital cameras, digitalcamcorders, and MP3 players, that each include a temporary storage area902 and a communication interface 903 such as, for example, a USBinterface or a wireless interface. The media capture devices 901 havethe capability to interface to an MPS and a PC.

[0073] The MPS 900 comprises a media processing unit (MPU) 904, remoteuser interface(s) 905, and a TV screen 918 to provide integrated mediaprocessing capability and indirect user interface capability. The remoteuser interfaces 905 may comprise a voice or keyed remote control 906,keyboards and pads 907, a remote PC access interface 908 and a remotemedia system access interface 909 (i.e., providing access from anotherMPS).

[0074] The media processing unit (MPU) 904 comprises TV and radio tuners910 for image and audio consumption, communications interfaces 911,channel processing 912 (e.g., creating, storing, indexing and viewing),storage 913, media players 914 (e.g., CD players, DVD players, tapeplayers, PVRs and MP3 players), an integrated user interface 915 (toprovide a TV channel guide look-and-feel, for example), networkingcomponents 916 to provide client functions such as consumption (e.g.,billing), authorization (e.g., using digital certificates and digitalID's), registration, security and connectivity. In an alternativeembodiment of the present invention, the networking components 916 mayinclude a distributed server element 917 that is part of a distributedserver.

[0075]FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of a media processing system(MPS) 920 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.The MPS 920 is essentially an enhanced set-top box for viewing andinteracting with various user interfaces, media, data and services thatare available on the media exchange network using, for example, a remotecontrol. The MPS 920 comprises a media peripheral 921, a mediamanagement system (MMS) 922 and a broadband communication interface 923.

[0076] The media peripheral 921 may include a TV, a PC and media players(e.g., a CD player, a DVD player, a tape player and a MP3 player) forvideo, image and audio consumption of broadcast channels and/or personalchannels. The broadband communication interface 923 may include internalmodems (e.g., a cable modem or a DSL modem) or other interface devicesin order to communicate with, for example, a cable or satellite headend.

[0077] The MMS 922 includes a software platform to provide functionalityincluding media “push” capability, media “access” capability, mediachannel construction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voiceoverlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection,authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home mediaexperience, billing service and a media guide user interface providingan integrated TV channel guide look-and-feel.

[0078]FIG. 10 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1000, an MPS 1001and an external processing hardware 1002 (e.g., a server) in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 1000 and the MPS1001 include networking components 1003 to provide client functions suchas consumption (e.g., billing), authorization, registration, securityand connectivity. Alternatively, the PC 1000 and the MPS 1001 mayinclude a distributed server element 1004 that is part of a distributedserver.

[0079] The PC 1000 and the MPS 1001 connect to the external processinghardware 1002 via wired connections or wireless connections. Theexternal processing hardware 1002 comprises a distributed server or apeer-to-peer server. The external processing hardware 1002 alsocomprises communication interfaces 1005 (e.g., cable interfaces, opticalinterfaces, etc.) and a media exchange software (MES) platform 1006. TheMES platform 1006 in the external processing hardware 1002 allows forcommunication with the PC 1000 and the MPS 1001 which may also use thesame MES platform 1006. The external processing hardware 1002 alsoincludes networking server components 1007 to provide the similar clientfunctions such as consumption (e.g., billing), authorization,registration, security and connectivity at the server side.

[0080]FIG. 11 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1100, a remote mediastorage 1101 and personal media capture devices 1102 when the PC 1100 isused as the primary distributor of digital media such as in the case ofPC-to-PC operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The personal media capture devices 1102 and the remote mediastorage 1101 connect to the PC 1100 via a wireless connection or a wiredconnection. The remote media storage 1101 provides user media storageand distribution 1103 as well as third party media storage anddistribution 1104. The personal media capture devices 1102 providetemporary storage 1114 and communication interfaces 1115.

[0081] Viewing is done using a PC monitor 1105 instead of a televisionscreen. The PC 1100 may include storage 1106, TV/radio tuners 1107 formedia consumption, media players 1108, and communication interfaces 1109and user interfaces 1110 similar to those for the MPS of FIG. 9. The PC1100 includes a media exchange software (MES) platform 1111 thatprovides channel construction capability 1112 and networking capability1113. The channel construction capability 1112 allows third party andpersonal media access, sequencing, editing, media overlays and inserts,billing, scheduling and addressing.

[0082] In summary, some embodiments of the present invention providesystems and methods to provide secure anonymity of devices on a mediaexchange network.

[0083] While the present invention has been described with reference tocertain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition,many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation ormaterial to the teachings of the present invention without departingfrom its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention notbe limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the presentinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for preventing unauthorized access to anetwork device, comprising: a headend coupled to a communicationsnetwork; and a network device deployed in a home environment andcommunicatively coupled to the communications network via the headend,wherein the headend is adapted to determine whether a request to accessthe network device is authorized.
 2. The system according to claim 1,wherein the headend is adapted to perform at least one of Internetprotocol (IP) registration, identification registration and digitalrights management.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein theheadend is adapted to perform at least one of channel/program set up,channel/program management, anonymous proxy services, media caching,media storage, billing and tracking.
 4. The system according to claim 1,wherein the headend is adapted to process at least one of a deviceidentification, an IP address, a digital certificate and a key.
 5. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the headend is adapted to store atleast one of a device identification, a public key, a hashing signatureand an IP address.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein theheadend is adapted to prevent unauthorized data from reaching thenetwork device.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the data isreceived by the headend from the communications network.
 8. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the headend is adapted to determinewhether a particular service provider, which is seeking access to thenetwork device, is authorized to send data to the network device.
 9. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the headend is adapted to employ atleast one of authentication techniques, encryption techniques anddecryption techniques.
 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein theheadend is adapted to facilitate pushing a file residing in anauthorized device to the network device or to a storage device coupledto the network device.
 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein thepushed file is transported through the headend to the network device orto the storage device coupled to the network device.
 12. The systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a service provider coupled tothe communications network and attempting to access the network devicevia the headend, wherein the service provider provides at least one of apassword or a code to the headend so that the headend can determinewhether the service provider is authorized to access the network device.13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the network devicecomprises at least one of a computer, a storage device, set-top boxcircuitry, a television, a display and a remote control.
 14. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the communications network comprises anIP-based communications network.
 15. The system according to claim 1,wherein the headend comprises at least one of a cable headend, asatellite headend and a digital subscriber line (DSL) headend.
 16. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the headend is adapted to provideat least some of the functionality of a media exchange server.
 17. Amethod for preventing unauthorized access in a communications network,comprising: (a) receiving, at a headend, a request to access a firstdevice, the request originating from a second device; (b) determining,by the headend, whether the second device is authorized to access thefirst device; and (c) blocking the second device from accessing thefirst device if the headend determines that the second device is notauthorized to access the first device.
 18. The method according to claim17, further comprising: (d) allowing the second device to access thefirst device if the headend determines that the second device isauthorized to access the first device.
 19. The method according to claim18, wherein allowing the second device to access the first devicecomprises pushing data onto the first device or onto a storage devicecoupled to the first device.
 20. The method according to claim 19,wherein pushing data comprises transporting data from the second device,through the headend, and to the first device or to the storage devicecoupled to the first device.
 21. A method for preventing unauthorizedaccess in a communications network, comprising: (a) disposing a headendbetween a first network device and a second network device such that acommunications path between the second network device and the firstnetwork device passes through the headend; and (b) adapting the headendto determine whether the second device is authorized to access the firstdevice.
 22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: (c)blocking the second device from accessing the first device if the seconddevice is determined by the headend not to be authorized to access thefirst device.
 23. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:(c) allowing the second device to access the first device if the seconddevice is determined by the headend to be authorized to access the firstdevice.
 24. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: (c)adapting the headend to provide at least some of the functionality of amedia exchange server.
 25. The method according to claim 21, whereinadapting the headend comprises adapting the headend to perform at leastone of Internet protocol (IP) registration, identification registrationand digital rights management.
 26. The method according to claim 21,wherein adapting the headend comprises adapting the headend to performat least one of anonymous proxy services, media caching, media storage,billing and tracking.
 27. The method according to claim 21, whereinadapting the headend comprises adapting the headend to process at leastone of a device identification, an IP address, a digital certificate anda key.